Recall Radar

CPSC, Playskool Announce Recall of Additional 170,000 Busy Poppin' Pals Toys

Recall 01-050 · December 8, 2000

What to doConsumers should take these toys away from young children immediately, and contact Playskool to get information about how to receive a free redesigned replacement toy.

Read the official CPSC notice

Recall at a glance

Recall number
01-050 (CPSC)
Recall date
December 8, 2000
Category
Toys and games
Products
Sesame Street Busy Poppin' Pals toys
Hazard
Choking and ingestion, Laceration and cuts hazard
Hazard type
Choking and ingestionLaceration and cuts
Units
170,000
Made in
China
Last updated by CPSC
January 6, 2026

What was recalled

Playskool's Sesame Street Busy Poppin' Pals toy is a 13-inch long white plastic toy with blue, yellow and green buttons, levers and knobs of various shapes that, when activated, make Sesame Street characters pop up from under the toy's base. The characters -- Elmo, Ernie, Big Bird, Bert, and Cookie Monster -- are hidden under corresponding blue, yellow or green lids that have the numbers one through five imprinted on top. The toy has a white carry handle and features the Playskool and Sesame Street logos on the front. The model number, "5446," "MADE IN CHINA" and "C-023B" are imprinted on the bottom of the toy. Busy Poppin' Pals toys with model 6205 have different springs and are not part of this recall. Any Busy Poppin' Pals toys that have "Made in Mexico" imprinted on the toy's bottom are not part of this recall.

Is my product affected?

Compare your product with the details below, including model numbers where listed.

  • Sesame Street Busy Poppin' Pals toys · 170,000 units

Photos from the recall notice

Where it was sold

Companies named in the notice: Mass merchandise stores and toy stores sold these toys (Playskool model 5446 made in China) nationwide, from November 1994 through 1996, for about $10.; Playskool, of Pawtucket, R.I..

Injuries or incidents reported

Playskool has received eight reports relating to the springs in its Sesame Street Busy Poppin' Pals toys, including one report that a child put the broken spring in his mouth. No injuries were reported. Playskool received 16 reports of springs breaking in the Busy Poppin' Pals toy recalled earlier. This resulted in five children putting the broken springs in their mouths, and two of these children suffering lacerations.

Consumer contact

Consumers may contact Playskool at (800) 752-9755 anytime or visit the firm's website at www.hasbro.com

Recall history and context

Since 2019 CPSC has recorded 156 recalls in the toys and games category, 71 recalls of them in the past 12 months.

Frequently asked questions

What was recalled?

Sesame Street Busy Poppin' Pals toys (170,000 units). Playskool's Sesame Street Busy Poppin' Pals toy is a 13-inch long white plastic toy with blue, yellow and green buttons, levers and knobs of various shapes that, when activated, make Sesame Street characters pop up from under the toy's base.

Why was it recalled?

CPSC lists the reason as: Choking and ingestion, Laceration and cuts hazard.

What should I do if I own one?

Consumers should take these toys away from young children immediately, and contact Playskool to get information about how to receive a free redesigned replacement toy.

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Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall data, shown as published and last updated by CPSC on January 6, 2026. Details can change; the official notice is the authority. If your product may be recalled, stop and read the notice before deciding what to do. Terms and disclaimer.